Action toy



April 1939- w. o. YANCEY 2,154,297

ACTION TOY Original Filed Nov. 2, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Minn 3% 56 1 s4m: 26 lnventor ril '11; 1939. w Y N EY 2,154,297

ACTION TOY Original Filed Nov. 2, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 3nventor i4Wimam OYQM M WM'QIQKNS Patented Apr. 11, 1939 UNITED STATES FATENTOFFICE ACTION TOY William 0. Yancey,

San Francisco, Calif.

8 Claims.

This is a continuation of my application No. 172,469, filed Nov. 2,1937.

This invention relates to improvements in toys, and has particularreference to an animated toy wherein animal figures, such as rabbits,ducks, birds or human figures may be employed to accomplish the objectsof the invention.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved toy whereinfigures are caused to perform amusing and entertaining movements.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved toyincluding a plurality of figures that cooperate with one another to rollballs, marbles, or the like back and forth down opposed runways.

A further object of the invention is to produce a device of thischaracter that is durable and economical to manufacture, smooth workingand efficient in operation, and highly entertaining and amusing.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the followingdescription andclaims.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and inwhich like numerals areemployed to designate like parts throughout thesame;

1 Fig. l is a front elevation of a toy constructed in accordance with myinvention;

Fig. 2 is adetail of a handle therefor;

Fig. 3 is a plan of the toy shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken substantially along line IV-IV ofFig. 3 showing the animal figures of the toy in full and dotted linepositions;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken substantially along line V-V of Fig.3;

Fig. 6 is an end view disclosing the ball hopper arrangement;

Fig. 7 is a view of the opposite end of the toy showing the wheel andcrank arrangement.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary section taken substantially along line VIIIV'IIIof Fig. 3 showing the ball lifting portion of a figure in diiferentoperative positions.

In the drawings, a toy embodying the invention isillustrated asincluding a frame I 0 that has .secured thereto rollers l2 and a mainactuating wheel H. The wheel I4 may be provided with a peripheral rubbersurface, so that the wheel may readily travel over a polished floor orthe like and obtain satisfactory traction without marring the surface. Apair of opposed animal figures l6 and iii, in this instance being of thelikeness of rabbits, are pivotally mounted upon the frame II] as bymeans of pivot pins 20 and 22 respectively. As illustrated to advantagein Fig. 4, the figure 18 has an extending portion 24, the outer edgeportion of which is formed as a section of a perfect circle drawn aboutthe pivot pin 22 as a center. The upper end of the ex-, tending portion24 is provided With a surface 26 adapted to receive a marble or ball 28in resting position thereon (Figs. 4 and 8). The wheel I4 is providedwith a laterally extending crank arm 30 adapted to register with alaterally extending crank arm 30 adapted to register with a radiallyextending slot 32 formed in the figure l8, and accordingly, uponrotation of the wheel M the figure i8 is caused to reciprocate about thepivot pin 22 toward and away from the positions indicated in Fig. 4 bysolid and broken lines, re-

spectively.

A runway 34 to receive the ball 28 is mounted in inclined relation uponthe frame I0 and having its upper end disposed adjacent the position ofthe ball lifting surface 26 when the figure I8 is in its upper or solidline position, as shown in Fig. 4. The animal figure I6 is likewiseprovided with a portion 36 extending circumferentially of the pivot pin20, the upper marginal edge of which is recessed to provide a ballreceiving pocket 38.

A link 46 is pivotally connected at one of its ends to the figure l8 andat its other end to the figure IS in offset relation with respect to thepivot pins 20 and 22 respectively. Consequently, reciprocation of thefigure l8, as accomplished by rotation of the wheel l4, produces similarbut oppositely timed reciprocatory movements of the figure I6. Forinstance, when the figure I3 is being moved from the broken lineposition toward the solid line position shown in Fig. 4, the figure i6is being moved from the broken line position toward the solid lineposition shown therein. The lower end of the inclined runway 34terminates adjacent the lowered or solid line position of the pocket 38of the figure 16. Consequently, when the wheel M\ is rotated commencingfrom a position where the ball receiving portion 23 of the figure I8 isin its lowered or broken line position, the device is adapted to lift aball 28 resting thereon to the upper or solid line position shown fordelivery to the upper end of the runway 34 down which the ball will rollunder the force of gravity and into the receiving pocket 33 of thefigure l6, which according to the arrangement of the link connectionsbetween thefigures will be in its lowered or ball receiving position. Itshould be noted, however, that the outer arcurate surface 31 of theextending portion 36 is concentric with the pivot pin 2% andconsequently the clearances between the lower end portion of the runway34 and every portion of the surface 31 are equal and relatively small.Hence, in case the ball 28 traverses the runway 34 at such time as thereceiving pocket 38 is in raised posi tion, the ball will be retained bythe surface 3'! at the lower end of the runway until such time as thereceiving pocket assumes its lowered ball receiving position, and duringthis time there is no possibility of the ball leaving its properoperating channel and/or binding or locking relatively movable membersof the toy against smooth operation thereof. A guide piece 42 having anarcuate shaped surface complementary to the arcuate shaped edge of theextending portion 24 of the figure I 8 and slightly spaced therefrom isdisposed below and adjacent the upper end of the runway 35 in suchmanner as to provide means for guiding the ball 28 during its upwardlifted movement by the figure l8 for delivery to the upper end of therunway, without binding of the relatively movable parts of the toy.

A return runway 56 is provided adjacent the runway 35 in reverseinclined relation thereto. As shown in the drawings, the runway it maybe in the form of a tube having a receiving port 52 in its upper endadjacent the raised or broken line position of the receiving pocket 38.

As shown in Fig. 6, the upper surface of the receiving pocket 38 ispreferably sloped laterally downwardly toward the direction of thereceiving port 52. Hence, when the ball 28 is lifted in the pocket 38 toa position adjacent the receiving port 52 it rolls freely into thereceiving port under the force of gravity. A vertically disposed sideplate 54 operates to guide the ball 28 and to maintain it within thepocket 38 until it reaches its maximum raised position withoutpermitting binding or locking of the relatively movable parts. The lowerend of the return tube 50 is provided with a discharge port 56communicating laterally with the space between the animal figure l8 andthe guide piece 42. Vertically disposed guide plates 58 and 60 (seeFigs. 3, 7 and 8) are provided to laterally maintain the ball 28 uponthe receiving surface 26 during the lifting operation thereof withoutbinding or locking of the relatively moving parts of the toy. The plate60 may be arranged also to constitute a front piece of the toy whichextends completely across the front thereof and at the same timeconstitutes a guide for laterally maintaining the ball on the runway 34and within the receiving pocket 38 during operation of the toy. As shownin Fig. 8, the ball receiving surface 26 of the figure I 8 is preferablysloped downwardly away from the return tube 58 so that the extendingportion 24 and'the guide plate 58 provide a scissors action upon upwardmovement of the surface 26 to urge the ball 28 away from the dischargeport 56. Thus the possibility of the ball 28 becoming caught between thelifting surface and a marginal edge portion of the discharge port isprecluded.

Thus a toy has been provided wherein in response to rotation of thewheel M the animal figure It will lift a marble or ball or other similarobject and. deposit it in the upper end of an inclined runway down whichthe ball will roll under the force of gravity and be received by theanimal figure I8 which will in turn lift the ball and deposit it in theupper end of a return inclined runway, down which the ball will rollunder the force of gravity and be delivered again to the animal figure[B for repeating the process. The toy is adapted to be actuated bypushing or pulling it across a fioor or other surface, as by means ofthe handle illustrated in Fig. 2, which is provided at one end with ahook Hi adapted to be detachably connected with a staple 72 extendingfrom the frame of the toy. In the alternative, the toy may be placedupon the table or similar object and actuated by manual rotation of acrank handle 75 extending from the wheel l4.

To add to the interest of the toy a hopper may be provided about thereceiving end of the return tube 55!. A vertically swingable lid 82 maybe provided for the hopper and mounted upon a horizontal hinge 84 insuch manner that a pin 86 extending laterally from the animal figure i6is adapted to raise one edge of the lid 82 during the ball liftingmotion of the figure It so that when the ball is ready for delivery tothe return tube the lid 82 is sufficiently raised to permit transfer ofthe ball from the figure It to the return tube 59. During the downstroke of the figure 16 the lid is allowed to return to its closedposition under the force of gravity. Hence, a toy is provided whichproduces the effect of one animal figure lifting a series of nuts,easter eggs, balls or the like, one by one, and rolling them down arunway toward a second animal figure which in turn lifts each of theobjects and deposits them in a storage hopper, opening the lid of thehopper each time. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the hopper 80 is: preferablyarranged to extend laterally beyond the line of the crank handle in suchmanner as to constitute a guard for the handle during movement of thetoy across a floor between or around such objects as furniture or thelike. Hence, the possibility of the crank handle 15 becoming caught uponsuch objects while the user of the toy is pushing or trailing it at theend of a string, is minimized.

To further ornament the toy and to increase 1 the entertainment featuresthereof, series of counting beads 90 may be conveniently supported uponrods 92 extending between opposed extending side wall portions of thehopper 80.

Although only one form of the invention is shown and described indetaiL'it will be apparent to those skilled in. the art that theinvention is not so limited but that various changes can be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope ofthe appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a toy, a frame, a pair of spaced figures pivotally mounted uponsaid frame, an inclined runway disposed between said figures, each ofsaid figures being provided with a ball receiving portion and an arcuateextending edge portion contiguous with the ball receiving portion andconcentric with the axis of each respective pivotal mounting and inclose spaced relation with the adjacent end portion of said inclinedrunway, and means for imparting reciprocatory motion to said figureswhereby said figures are adapted to receive a rolling object when intheir respective lowered positions: and to lift saidobject relative tosaid runway without binding of said object between relatively movingportions of said toy.

' 2. In a toy, a frame, a pair of spaced opposed figures pivotallymounted upon. said frame, each of said figures being provided with aball supporting surface, a pair of reversely inclined run- 7 waysdisposed between said figures, means for imparting movements to saidfigures, and. means associated with said figures and said runways andcooperating therewith to provide rolling ball passageways betweenadjacent ends of said runways, whereby movements of said figures cause arolling ball disposed in one of said runways to be lifted by one of saidfigures from the lower end of said runway and delivered into theadjacent upper end of the other of said runways and allowed to rollthereupon under the force of gravity to the lower end thereof and to bereceived thereat and lifted by the other of said figures and deliveredinto the upper end of the first mentioned runway for rolling thereuponfor delivery again to the first mentioned figure for repeating theoperation.

3. In a my, a frame, a pair of spaced opposed figures pivotally mountedupon said frame, each of said figures being provided with a ballsupporting surface, a pair of reversely inclined runways disposedbetween said figures, means for imparting movements to said figures, andmeans associated with said figures and said runways and cooperatingtherewith to provide rolling ball passageways between adjacent ends ofsaid runways, whereby movements of said figures cause a rolling balldisposed in one of said runways to be lifted by one of said figuresfromthe lower end of said runway and delivered into the adjacent .upper endof the other of said runways and allowed to roll thereupon under theforce of gravity to be received and lifted by the other of said figuresand delivered into the upper end of the first mentioned runway forrolling thereupon for delivery again to the first mentioned figure forrepeating the operation, said ball receiving surfaces of said figuresbeing inclined laterally downwardly in the directions of the lateralmovements of the ball when being delivered from one runway to another.

, 4. In a toy, a frame, an inclined runway supported upon said frame, astorage hopper supported upon said frame adjacent one end of said runwayand extending for a substantial distance laterally of a portion of saidframe, ball lifting means disposed adjacent said hopper and adapted toreceive a ball from said runway and to elevate and discharge the sameinto said hopper, and a manually operable crank arm associated with saidlifting means for actuation thereof and extending laterally of saidframe within the longitudinal line of said hopper, whereby said hopperconstitutes. a guard to protect said crank arm from becoming caught uponforeign objects when the toy is moved across a floor or similar surface.

5. In a toy, a frame, a pair of spaced figures pivotally mounted uponsaid frame, a pair of reversely inclined runways disposed between saidfigures, a wheel rotatably mounted upon said frame, means associatedwith said wheel and each of said figures for imparting reciprocatingmovements to said figures, and means associated with said figures andsaid runways and cooperating therewith to provide rolling ballpassageways between adjacent ends of said runways, whereby movements ofsaid figures cause a rolling ball disposed in one of said runways to belifted by one of said figures from the lower end of said runway anddelivered into the adjacent upper end of the other of said runways andallowed to roll thereupon under the force of gravity to the lower endthereof and to be received thereat and lifted by the other of saidfigures and delivered into the upper end of the first mentioned runwayfor rolling thereupon for deliveryragain to the first mentioned figurefor repeating the operation.

6. In a toy, a frame, a figure pivotally mounted upon said frame andbeing provided with a ball receiving surface, means for reciprocatingsaid figure in such manner that said ball receiving surface alternatelymoves between lowered and raised positions, means for delivering arolling object to said receiving surface when in its lowered position, astorage hopper having an upper marginal edge portion adjacent the raisedposition of said figure, a hinged lid for said storage hopper, and meansassociated with said figure and adapted to raise said lid to an openposition during movement of said figure from its lowered to its raisedposition.

7. In a toy, an inclined runway adapted to support an object in gravitymovable relation thereon, a member pivotally mounted adjacent the lowerend of said runway and having an object receiving surface thereon, meansfor oscillating said member about its pivotal mounting to raise saidobject relative to said runway and to subsequently return said objectreceiving surface to a position adjacent the lower end of said runwayfor receiving another such object, the marginal edge portion of saidmember adjacent the object receiving surface and said runway beingformed to provide uniform and close clearance between said runway andadjacent portions of said member during operating movements of saidmember, whereby the objects being handled are prevented from jamming therelatively movable parts of the toy.

8. In a toy, a frame, a pair of spaced opposed figures pivotally mountedupon said frame, each of said figures being provided with a ballsupporting surface, a pair of reversely inclined runways disposedbetween said figures, crank means for imparting synchronized movementsto said figures, and means associated with said figures and said runwaysand cooperating therewith to provide rolling ball passageways betweenadj acent ends of said runways, whereby movements of said figures causea rolling ball disposed in one of said runways to be lifted by one ofsaid figures from the lower end of said runway and delivered into theadjacent upper end of the other of said runways and allowed to rollthereupon under the force of gravity to the lower end thereof and to bereceived thereat and lifted by the other of said figures and deliveredinto the upper end of the first mentioned runway for rolling thereuponfor delivery again to the first mentioned figure for repeating theoperation.

WILLIAM O. YANCEY.

I CERTIFICATE CF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,15%297. I April 11; 19 9.

' WILLIAM o. YANCEY. I

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specificationof the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 1,second column, lines 9 and 10, strike out the words "with a laterallyextending crank arm 50 adapted to register"; and that the said LettersPatent should be read with this correction therein that the same mayconform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 16th day of May, A. D. 1959.

Henry Van Arsdale (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

